Here Are The Dog Breeds You Can Trust To Guard Your Home
While having a trusted companion may top your list of why you want to get a dog, an extra line of defense can be helpful, too. Some dog breeds are better known for their protectiveness than others due to certain characteristics like confidence, build, alertness, intelligence, and more. While television often portrays Dobermans and Rottweilers as the ultimate guard dogs, there are plenty of other breeds that are equally fearless but which you may have never heard of, such as the Thai Ridgeback or the Belgian Laekenois. Read on for a variety of breeds that live to keep their people safe.
Akitas Are Revered As Family Protectors
Weighing in around 100 pounds, Akita dogs have a strong build beneath their thick and fluffy coat that makes them great guard dogs. In their ancient home of Japan, they are highly regarded as family protectors and were bred to be both guardians and hunters.
As such, they are often wary of other dogs and of strangers, so they won't think twice about defending you. At the same time, they have a silly side that they're happy to share with family and friends.
Australian Shepherds Are Tough Ranch Dogs
Australian Shepherds are a wonderful mixture of sweet and sour, being both playful and work-oriented. They have a strong impulse to herd and are bursting with energy, so they love to have a job to do and require strong training.
Aussies form a deep bond with their family and will turn all of that energy toward protecting those they love. The breed's intelligence and loyalty make them easy to train, so long as the owner is willing to provide them with the attention and activity they need.
The Appenzeller Sennenhund Cannot Be Bribed
The Appenzeller Sennenhund, also known as the Appenzeller Mountain Dog or Appenzell Cattle Dog, is both fearless and agile. Their muscular build and lively personality make them ready for action at all times.
They are highly intelligent and top the charts in terms of energy, so they require open land that they can freely play on. Appenzeller Sennenhunds make for not only great guard dogs, but also search and rescue animals. Suspicious of strangers, they won't be easily distracted with bribes.
Anatolian Shepherd Dogs Protect With Intensity
The Anatolian Shepherd dog stands at just under 2.5 feet tall to the shoulder and weighs up to 150 pounds due to its muscular physique. Bred to protect their flocks, these dogs are skillfully agile and quick thinkers.
Anatolians' ancestors are some of the oldest-known domestic canines, dating back 6,000 years to the Bronze Age. They have a longstanding reputation for being outstanding guardians. The loyal dogs are wary of strangers, so they need to be socialized at a young age.
Beaucerons Are Imposing But Obedient
Beaucerons look a bit like thicker and fluffier Dobermans with their pointy ears and black and auburn fur, but they can also have a black-gray-tan coat. Regardless of their fur, their tall and muscular build combined with their confident expression are sure to ward off any threats.
These dominant dogs will own their owner, so they need firm but fair training and plenty of mental and physical exercise. By the same token, they are wonderful protectors of the young and defenseless as they are sensitive and smart creatures.
The Belgian Laekenois Is Keenly Alert
The Belgian Laekenois (pronounced Lak-in-wah) is both sturdy and agile, making it no match for intruders. Its dark snout emphasizes its watchful eyes, which are both observant and full of life.
These dogs are very affectionate when it comes to their family, and want nothing more than to please their owner. As such, they take well to training and are sure to protect their master and their property. They are often reserved around strangers but love being around humans they can trust.
Black Russian Terriers Are Powerful
Black Russian Terriers are brawny, shaggy animals full of power. Though they are energetic, they have a calm side that comes out when they get enough exercise. These dominating animals need firm training, but that's also what makes them intimidating to strangers.
Full of power and confidence, Black Russian Terriers were bred to protect. They are moderately wary of strangers, but won't hesitate to make their dominance known since these courageous dogs are built to guard.
Boxers Are Fearless
One of the most popular dog breeds for quite some time, according to the American Kennel Club, the Boxer is the perfect mix of fun-loving and hard-working. They are full of curiosity and can be silly at times, making them all the more endearing to their owners.
Though playful, they have a protective nature and courage to match. Goofballs as they may be, they take their job as watchdogs very seriously and will rush forward at the first sign of a threat.
Boerboels Are No-Nonsense Dogs
Boerboels descend from the same ancestor as Mastiffs, which may explain their strong, bronzy build. One characteristic that some say makes them superior to their Mastiff relatives is their agility.
Bred to act as a shield from the fierce predators of remote South Africa, Boerboels are committed to protecting. Their powerful jaws and thick muscles make them a force you don't want to reckon with. At the same time, they adore their family and are very calm and smart.
Hovawarts Can Handle Stress
Hovawarts have an even-keeled demeanor that, combined with their loyalty, make them wonderful companions. These intelligent dogs are often on high alert and they have an extra sensitive nose, hence, they are a valuable resource in search and rescue organizations.
These self-confident dogs need an owner that is more directive than they are. With the appropriate training, they can make for wonderful guard dogs as they have a strong instinct to protect their family.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Are Protective
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever isn't as popular as its Labrador and Golden Retriever relatives, but they are just as affectionate and loyal. The Chesapeake Retriever has an edge in that it's both upbeat and reserved when it comes to strangers.
They'll be polite at first, but the minute they need to they'll race to protect their humans. The emotionally complex dogs are both obedient and independent, so they won't hesitate to call themselves to action if things seem threatening.
German Shepherds Will Risk Their Life For Loved Ones
Regarded as working dogs with many exceptional traits, German Shepherds can learn various tasks. Their courage combined with their intelligence make them a wonderful police dog, whether it's for law enforcement or a single-family home.
Their muscular but acrobatic physique puts them at an advantage over intruders, but they are gentle with family and would do anything to save the ones they love. They are wary of those they don't know they can trust, but extremely loyal to their owners.
Thai Ridgebacks Are Great Jumpers
Between their active character and impressive jumping ability, Thai Ridgebacks are not easy to get past. Bred to hunt and guard, these dogs have exceptional survival instincts and don't immediately take to strangers.
Thai Ridgebacks are loyal to their family and protective of their home, but need an owner who can assert their dominance. These tough dogs require their fair share of exercise, so play and dog sports can be a great way to bond with them.
Chihuahuas Are Small But Feisty
Although Chihuahuas are known as "purse dogs," they are very feisty. This breed is the perfect example of a small dog with a big dog's personality. They don't realize how little they are, which makes their personality so funny. Even though they don't realize their small stature, Chihuahuas are very intelligent and know how to get their way.
But they are very eager to please their family and they excel at obedience training. This loyal pooch isn't the best with strangers and might bark if someone unknown walks into their home.
The Bergamasco Sheepdog Has A Natural Shield
The Bergamasco Sheepdog may look like something you would clean your floors with, but that's part of what makes them such great guard dogs. Their hair strands morph together to form flat layers of felted hair that act as a shield of protection from predators.
Vigilant workers, these dogs are always on the lookout and are wary of strangers at first. At the same time, they are sociable creatures who won't resort to violence unless they decide it's needed.
Tornjaks Are Fierce Guardians
Also known as the Bosnian or Herzegovina-Croatian Shepherd Dog, the Tornjak is thought to be descended from the Tibetan Mastiff. The sturdy breed is quick to threaten anyone they deem a risk towards their home or loved ones.
These dogs are happy to work for their owners and have a great memory. Though they are suspicious of strangers, they are affectionate toward those they know and trust and are calm in safe situations with their owners.
Briards Have A Powerful Work Drive
Briard dogs are full of love and have a high spirit that makes them irresistible to their owners. Though their shaggy fur often hangs over their eyes, they are watchful dogs that are especially protective of children.
Though Briards have a somewhat moderate energy level, their work ethic is off the charts and they need an active job, even if it's just chasing after a tennis ball. They adore human companionship and will pay it forward two-fold in terms of protection.
Doberman Pinschers Are Highly Regarded
The sleek but muscular Doberman Pinscher is packed with strength and built for speed. Even the most foolish of intruders would know better than to try and face this guard dog head-on.
Known as one of the world's finest protection dogs, Dobermans are fearless and will stop at nothing to ensure that their owner is safe. These loyal dogs are eager to please and love to spend time exercising with their people, which also keeps them in shape for any task, no matter how dangerous.
Rottweilers Are Robust Workers
Gentle one moment and protective the next, the Rottweiler has a balance of both playfulness and seriousness. When safe with those they love, they'll show they're silly and affectionate side. When around strangers, their guardian hats come on and they become courageous workers.
Rottweilers love being around people and are eager to please their owners. They have an aggressive side that shouldn't be encouraged during playtime so that they don't confuse their contrasting characteristics.
Cane Corsos Are The "Bodyguard Dogs"
According to the American Kennel Club, the name Cane Corso comes from the Latin meaning for "bodyguard dog," so it's safe to say that guarding is a part of their nature. These affectionate dogs are deeply loyal to their owner.
At the same time, their confidence can evolve into assertiveness towards their people if they aren't trained properly, so it's important to remain dominant. This characteristic can be read in the breed's domineering stare, which seems to say "don't mess with me."
